Father Robert Barron Appointed Rector of Mundelein Seminary today by the Archbishop of Chicago

The popular "Word on Fire" priest will also continue his work with the media group

Chicago, Illinois (PRWEB) May 11, 2012

The Archbishop of Chicago, Francis Cardinal George announced today Father Robert Barron has been appointed Rector-President of Mundelein Seminary/University of St. Mary of the Lake. Father Barron will assume this role in July at the seminary located outside Chicago.

“As a priest of Jesus Christ, I accept this responsibility with joy,“ said Father Barron. “The appointment brings together many of the elements that have long been of great importance to me, namely, the priesthood, theological scholarship, pastoral care and evangelization.”

Barron is currently the Director of "Word on Fire Catholic Ministries," a media group he founded to advance the new evangelization. He will continue in this role and its mission, along with his new appointment at Mundelein. Last year, "Word on Fire" released a 10 part documentary series, "Catholicism," which Father Barron created, wrote and hosted. The series aired across the country on PBS and EWTN, and has been seen in parishes, universities and schools throughout the world. The documentary also won a Christopher Award for excellence.

“The mission of evangelization will continue to be a priority for me and 'Word on Fire' is essential to this mission,” said Father Barron. “I will continue to set the ethos for the 'Word on Fire' apostolate and provide new media content to enhance the Church’s outreach to the culture. I remain focused in my commitment to help promote the 'Catholicism' series and study programs as indispensable tools for the new evangelization.”

Father Robert Barron, ordained in 1986, is a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He received his Masters’ Degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America in 1982 and a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Institut Catholique in 1992. Barron was appointed to the theological faculty of Mundelein Seminary in 1992 and has also served as a visiting professor at the University of Notre Dame and at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. He was twice scholar in residence at the Pontifical North American College at the Vatican.

Father Barron was baptized at Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago and grew up at St. John of the Cross Parish in Western Springs, Illinois.

He is the author of many books including "The Priority of Christ: Towards a Post-Liberal Catholicism," and most recently "Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith."

University of Saint Mary of the Lake, also called Mundelein Seminary, is the principal seminary for the formation of priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. It is recognized as the first institution of higher education in the City of Chicago, chartered by the Illinois General Assembly in 1844, and has the longest continuous academic charter in the state. Mundelein is one of the largest seminaries in the United States.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Nanette Noffsinger at 615-776-4230, or nanetten(at)aol(dot)com.